First Ever Danish Victory at Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Jeune Sommelier Competition

Kim Thygesen Danielsen and Toke Fiedler Terkildsen

Copenhagen, 16 September 2025

The Danish Sommelier Association (DSF) is proud to announce that Toke Fiedler Terkildsen (23 y.o) has won the title of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Jeune Sommelier Competition 2025 after two days of competition at Hôtel Métropole in Geneva, Switzerland.

Final at Hôtel Métropole in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Kim Thygesen Danielsen

Toke made history as the first to bring the title to Denmark.

Toke, who works at the 1 Michelin starred Restaurant domæne in Herning, impressed the four Master Sommelier judges with strong knowledge, precise technique, calmness and dedication during the final.

The strong field of competitors came from 17 different countries, all around the world.
In the final was besides Toke, runner up Phillip Hallvig (26 y.o Assistant Head Sommelier at Maison Bâtard in Melbourne, Australia participating for Australia), and 3rd place Erazim Ocvirk (28 y.o, Assistant Head Sommelier at the Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterader, Scotland, participating for Great Britain).

Photo: Kim Thygesen Danielsen

Toke Fiedler Terkildsen. Photo: Kim Thygesen Danielsen

The Jeune Sommelier Competition is known as the world championship for Sommeliers under 28 y.o and has been held for the past 17. years.

This was the first time for a Danish competitor to be in the final, and Toke says after the final “I have used so many hours for the past six months, to be able to do the best I could” Toke became runner up for the Danish Sommelier Championship Monday 8th. September. “It might have affected my family, friends and work a bit, but I hope they forgive me now” Toke continues, “It’s crazy. I never imagined this would be the result. I don’t think it has sunk in yet. Now I’m just looking forward to the future.”

In September 2025, Toke will travel to Stockholm later this month to compete for the third time in just three weeks, at the Nordic Sommelier Competition, together with Oliver Carr, the winner of the Danish championship.

With him in Geneve was Kim Thygesen from DSF and Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Denmark. Kim tells that during the five days “the young candidate showed good manners, dedication and determination, and was well liked” by the entire group, and he has a bright future ahead of him. We are proud of the way he did it, and is a very good representative for Denmark and the Sommelier community” 

From Chaîne des Rôtisseurs du Danemark Bailli Délégués - Jørgen Krenk says:
”A big congrats to the winner of ”Jeunes Sommeliers Competition”, Toke Fiedler Terkildsen. Impressing performance! At the same time, he won the competition, given his age. ”Best Competitor under 25”.

Congratulations to Toke on the title.

Championship format

Friday started early with the semifinal. All 17 candidates had a theory test and a wine tasting test of 3 wines, followed up by a practical decanting test of a red wine and food pairing.
The final started Saturday morning with individual tasks. Service at two tables, wine service, menu parring, decantation, wine list faults, organoleptic tasting of two wines, and identification of two spirits. Followed by a mastermind test and champagne service with the two other finalists.